First Stand 2025 Viewer Guide

All regions have completed their qualifying stages, and now the best teams will face off at the First Stand Tournament—a new international competition that joins the list of major events alongside MSI and Worlds. Riot Games first announced First Stand in June 2024, stating that the tournament would serve as an additional opportunity for teams to prove themselves on the global stage. It was created to balance the competitive calendar and give participants more chances to earn points for Worlds qualification.

Previously, the only significant global tournaments were MSI and Worlds, but now teams have another chance to test their strength on the international scene. First Stand is becoming an important part of the season, shaping the competitive landscape and giving teams a valuable opportunity to earn points for Worlds.

Let’s take a closer look at what awaits us in the tournament.

First Stand 2025 Format and Dates

First Stand 2025 will take place in Seoul, South Korea, at LoL Park from March 10 to March 16.

The Group Stage will follow a Round Robin format from March 10 to March 14. Each team will play against every other team, earning 1 point for a victory and 0 points for a loss. At the end of the group stage, a standings table will be formed, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs, while the team finishing in 5th place will be eliminated from the tournament.

All Group Stage matches will be played in a Bo3 format using Fearless Draft.

The Playoffs will take place from March 15 to March 16 in a Single Elimination format, where every match will be played in Best of 5 and will also use Fearless Draft.

Fearless Draft has had a very positive impact on the professional scene. It has influenced teams by encouraging them to explore new strategies, bringing forgotten champions back into the game, and moving away from the established meta. This is beneficial for the development of picks and overall strategy diversity.

For viewers, this system also provides a more engaging experience, as it ensures a fresh and dynamic meta rather than seeing the same champions throughout the entire tournament.

And Riot Games is also giving away awesome rewards for watching First Stand! How to get them and what awaits you—we've covered it all in our blog Rewards for Watching First Stand. Save it for yourself and don’t miss the matches—it’s worth it!

First Stand 2025 Teams

The five strongest teams from different regions are ready to compete for the championship title of the first-ever First Stand tournament.

Let's meet the teams that will make history:

• Hanwha Life Esports
• CTBC Flying Oyster
• Team Liquid
• Top Esports
• Karmine Corp

Detailed team breakdown:

First Stand has gathered the strongest teams from each region - LCK (Korea), LCP (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau), LTA (North America, South America), LPL (China), LEC (Europe), featuring top-tier players. Every one of these teams rightfully earned their spot in the tournament, having overcome an incredible journey through the best rosters in their region, proving that they are truly the strongest.

First Stand 2025 Prize Pool

The first-ever First Stand tournament is truly ready to break into the top-tier competition scene, reaching the level of MSI and Worlds—and its prize pool is clear proof of that.

The prize pool for First Stand is $1,000,000.

• The tournament winner receives $300,000
• Second place earns $225,000
• Third and fourth place`s is awarded $172,500
• Fifth place gets $130,000

The prize money is always a nice bonus for the winners, but beyond that, the top two teams will secure strong seeding positions for MSI 2025. Additionally, the champion of First Stand will earn an extra regional slot, allowing another team from their region to advance directly into the main stage of MSI.

This makes First Stand an incredibly important event, as MSI serves as a crucial stepping stone toward the ultimate dream tournament for every League of Legends player – Worlds.

What to Expect from the First Stand?

Riot Games has introduced a variety of exciting innovations—from updated formats to new leagues. Make sure to save the LoL Upcoming Events 2025 roadmap so you don’t miss out on thrilling matches featuring the strongest teams.

This will truly be a historic moment—the arrival of a brand-new tournament that directly impacts the global team rankings in League of Legends while featuring a massive prize pool. Five of the strongest teams from across all regions will battle for $1,000,000 and a direct ticket to MSI 2025.

Predicting the winner is nearly impossible, but one thing is certain—this tournament will be spectacular and filled with emotions. So don’t miss First Stand and good luck to the team you’re cheering for!

First Stand 2025 Betting

League of Legends tournaments are an incredible spectacle, and of course, over the years of championships, fan communities have formed just like in other games. And to make the matches even more thrilling and exciting, you can place a bet on the team you support.

If you're completely sure that your favorite team will become the first champion of First Stand 2025 and want to share the joy of victory with them, lock in your prediction with a bet and take the risk for a reward and unforgettable emotions! Not into taking risks? No problem — just watch stress-free and enjoy top-tier gameplay and fierce competition at the highest level, because the chance to compete for a million dollars doesn’t come around often!